principles = Pujya Gurudev

Wholehearted execution of the prescribed principles  =Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

In his first meeting Gurudev had prescribed for me three disciplines. Twenty-four GayatriMahapuruscaranas had to be performed for twenty-four years strictly in accordance with the prescribed rules in front of a ghrit lamp to be kept lighted uninterruptedly.The second important discipline to be undergone was of writing books for promoting the enlightened good of the masses. 

This was important for my own self-growth and self-education. This needed intense and extensive study and concentration. Side by side, public contacts had to be established to develop my organizing skills. 
The third important responsibility was to play the role of a voluntary freedom fighter in Indias struggle for independence. As a matter of fact, these programs were not complementary to each other, but none of these became an obstacle in the progress of my sadhana and study; although in between, I had to visit Himalayas twice. 

The credit for this goes to my Divine Guide who had taken full control of the reins of my life and had assured constant protection. I was enjoined by Gurudev to have the outlook of a raisi. I was also told that although I was related to my family, I should remain quite detached from it.I should listen to everybody but should do what I considered appropriate; as it would be well nigh impossible for me to reach the goal if attention is paid to their advice. Spiritual path (sreya) and material path (preya) are diametrically opposite to each other and only one of them can be followed. If the world was pleased with someone his inmost self will not be happy with him. If the inner soul is satisfied, the displeasure of the worldly people will have to be suffered. This has happened in the life of all the true seekers of truth.

It is very rare that the relatives have approved the pursuit of higher ideals. More often than not, human soul had to surrender before the worldly people, high ideals had to be given up and the old soul-suffocating routine had to be carried on. I faced this difficulty the very first day. With the starting of the series of puruscaranas I started taking the prescribed food and leading the life of an ascetic (tapasvi).

This created havoc. People started discussing me in their own way in sweet and sour words. The gist of their advice was that no steps should be taken to disturb the ordinary routinised way by which people earned their livelihood. Although our ancestral property was so large that three generations could have been easily fed and maintained sitting idle, it was stressed that it should all be kept intact for the future and the family should be maintained on the fresh earnings through the ancestral profession of priesthood. 
How could the arguments of these people be rebutted? Ultimately, I made one of the three gurus of Gandhiji as my guru, i.e. I kept silent and felt relieved. I simply said that what I was doing was in response to divine inspiration and restored a semblance of peace. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma